Machine for sizing tubes



Oct. 18, 1949; L. H. MESSINGER 2,485,007

MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES Filed June 23, 1945 9 Shee'ts' Sheet l INVENTOR LESTER H MESS/NGER ENT mwi mil

Oct. 18, 1949. L. H. MESSINGER MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 23, 1945 INVENTOR. L E5 75/? H. MESS/NEE}? NQ mm Oct. 18, 1949. 1.. H. MESSINGER MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES Filed June 25, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR L E5 TER H. MESS/NGER Oct. 18, 1949. H. MESSINGER 2,485,007

MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 23, 1945 INVENTOR. LESTER H. MESS/NGER ENT 1.. H. MESSI NGER MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES Oct. 18, 1949.

9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 25, 1945 llllkllllllxll INVENTOR.

9 Sheets-Sheet 6 L.. H. MESSINGER MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES INVENTOR.

Oct. 18, 1949.

Filed June 23, 1945 m9 vmv 9 m 3 Oct. 18, 1949. H. MESSINGER MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed June 25, 1945 INVENTOR. I E5 75/? H MESS/NGER Oct. 18, 1949. H. MESSENGER 2,485,007

MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES Filed June 25, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 17 8 INVENTOR.

' LESTER A! Mass/ am w GENT 06L 1949-. L. H. MESSINGER 2,485,007

MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES Filed June 23, 1945 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN V EN TOR. LE s TER H. ME'ss/NGER Patented Oct. 18, 1949 MACHINE FOR SIZING TUBES Lester H. Messinger, Trumbull, Conn., assignor to Remington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application June 23, 1945, Serial No. 601,273

This invention relates, in general, to a machine for sizing tubes, and, more particularly, to a machine for sizing paper tubes for the manufacture of shot shells.

In the art of makin paper tubes for shot shells, it is necessary that the tubes be both straight and of a predetermined outside diameter to within very close tolerances. Since the paper tube is a relatively soft semi-rigid structure, it is necessary that the tube be properly supported during the sizing operation. Moreover, in the event a tube is malformed or improperly fed to the machine or collapses under stress, it is desirable that the machine be stopped immediately to prevent jams and the loss of additional tubes.

Further, for economical reasons, it is desired that p the greatest possible number of tubes be sized in a minimum amount of time; that the sizing apparatus be readily adapted for sizing both a smooth surfaced tube or tube having longitudinal corrugations and that tubes of different sizes be sized simultaneously on a single machine.

An object of the present invention is, therefore, the provision of an improved paper tube sizing machine capable of sizing tubes at an extremely rapid rate. A further object is the provision of a tube sizing machine which may be readily adapted to size both smooth surfaced and fluted tubes and to size tubes of difierent size simultaneously. A further object is to provide a tube sizing machine having improved means for supporting the tubes and advancing the tubes into the sizing dies. A still further object is to provide a tube sizing machine with improved means for automatically stopping its operation in the event abnormal conditions develop.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be disclosed in greater detail in the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation showing the left end of the machine including details of the hydraulic system.

Fig. 1a is a fragmentary front elevation of the machine being a continuation of the left end of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. lb is a fragmentary front elevation showing the right end of the machine and being a continuation of the portion shown in Fig. la.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of that portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 2a is a plan view of that portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1a.

16 Claims. (01. 93--83) Fig. 2b is a plan view of that portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1b.

Fig. 2c is a reduced side elevation partly in section of the die holder and lubricant tank in the direction of arrows 20-20 of Fig. 2a.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section of one of the mandrel carriages shown mounted on a pair of rails.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation partly in section of the carriage shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary'back elevation of a portion of the machine showing part of the hopper stack for delivering tubes into the hopper; and details of the sizing dies and die lubricating means.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation in the direction of the arrows 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation in the direction of the arrows 1--1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary side elevation of details of the feed mechanism for controlling the delivery of the sizing tubes to a basket.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the limit switch and cam operating means in the direction of arrows 9-9 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a diagram of the electrical circuit for controlling the operation of the machine. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of a sizing dye and its holder.

The terms front and back as hereinafter used with respect to the machine shall be understood to refer to the parts thereof adjacent the bottom and top margins respectively of the drawings (Figs. 2, 2a and 2b); the left end and right end of the machine being identified with the left and right margins respectively. The terms forwardly and rearwardly as used in connection with a carriage mean its movement towards and from the sizing dies respectively.

In general, the machine embodies a horizontal bed having two longitudinally spaced carriages movable thereon in unison and in the same direction, each carriage having a plurality of rotatable mandrels arranged in a substantially horizontal plane parallel to the bed of the machin and e tending longitudinally thereof, the free ends of one set of mandrels being opposed to the free ends of the second set of mandrels. Located at the center of the machine between the opposed ends of the two sets of mandrels are two sets of sizing dies and a pair of hoppers, each hopper being adapted to supply a plurality of tubes successively in axial alignment with one set of mandrels and one set of sizing dies. The carriages are actuated so that as one set of mandrels is advancing into its allotted tubes and pushing these tubes through the adjacent set of sizing dies, the second carriage is receding simultaneously stripping a plurality of sized tubes from its set of mandrels. The carriages are reciprocated continuously by a hydraulically driven piston rod, the sized tubes being collected in suitable baskets arranged beneath the bed and adjacent each hopper.

Machine bed Referring to the drawings, Figs. 2,211, and 2b show a plan view of the machine which comprises a substantially rectanguar 'bed -made up "of steel channel members, the side channels I5 being substantially seven and one-half times longer than the end channels I6. The bed is supported at its ends and at suitable intermediate points by a plurality of vertical leg members I! held rigidly by suitable braces F8 as shown in Figs. 1, 1a and lb. The channel members, legs and braces may be secured together 'by'a suitable means as, foo-example, by bolts or by welded joints so as to form a rigid structure. Although steel *channels and angle bar stock are shown in the present embodiment, it will be understood that the frame and bed may comprise structural members of other forms.

Mounted rigidly on the inside of the side channels I5 at substantially right angles thereto :and at longitudinally spaced points are four brackets l -9, the longitudinal axes of which lie in a'common plane coincident with the horizontal plane of the bed. Each bracket comprises a boss 20, the longitudinal axis of its bore being substantially parallel to'the longitudinal axis of the bed.

Referring to Figs.-2a and 2b mounted between each :pair of axially aligned-bracketsis a tubular supporting member 22, the opposite ends 2 3 of each tubular member being adapted to make a press -fit in the bore of its respective bracket. Within each end 23 of the two spaced parallel tubular supporting members 22 is a bushing :24 (see Figs. 6 and 7). Mounted so as to havea smooth running fit in-each pair of longitudinally spaced, axially aligned bushings 24 is an elongated carriage -supporting and actuating rod :25 which, as clearly shown in 8, has a free fit within the corresponding tubular supporting member-22. Theendsof each rod-25 extend both to the right'and left respectively beyond the bushings 24, the extremity 25' of each rod being of reduceddiameter (see Figs. 3 and 4) so as to fit into a socket oraperture 28' at one-end oia carriage. As shown, a pair of carriages are arranged transversely of the longitudinal axis of the bed, each carriage being drawn up tightly against substantially square shoulders 26 atthe extremities 25 of the rods '25 by means of-suitable nuts 21 secured on the threaded endsthereof. Each carriage is thus wholly supported between the spaced side channels I5 of the bed and at the extreme ends of the spaced parallel reciprocably mounted rods 25.

M andrel carriage The carriages are identical and hence a description of one will suffice for both. Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, each carriage comprisesa substantially rectangular block 28 having apertures 28 Eur receiving the reduced ends 25' of the carriage rods 25. 'A substantially'rectangular recess [29 isprovided in thetop of each bl0ck,'whichrecess, in conjunction witha cover 30, is adapted to form a gear box for housing the wormwheels of the mandrels and the cooperatively engaged worm gears of a drive shaft. The drive shaft 32 is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the carriage being rotatably supported at its opposite ends in suitable bearing blocks 33 which in the present embodiment are integral with the carriage. It will be appreciated, however, that the bearing blocks 33 may constitute separable membersv secured by bolts or other fastening means to the top of the carriage. The drive shaft 32 of the carriage shown at the left end of the machine (Fig. 2a) is extended rearwardly and provided with a suitable drive pulley 34 which is fastened securely thereto. The drive shaft of the carriage shown at the right end of the machine (Fig. 2b) is provided with "a -similar pulley 34, but, in this instance, the .shaft extension and pulley are at the front of the machine.

Each 'drive shaft 32 is provided with a plurality of worm gears 35, five gears being shown in the presentembodiment, each being keyed to the shaft 32 and kept in spaced relationship thereto by means of floating collets 350. The worm gears are adapted to cooperatively engage the teeth 33 of suitable worm wheels 31,, each of which is keyed to the 'hub 38 of one of five tube supporting mandrels. The hub portion :of each mandrel is mounted in apertures 39 and 40 extending through the sidewalls of the carriage 28 at substantially right angles to its longitudinal axis. The apertures 40 in one walliof the carriage are of greater diameter than :the apertures 39 and counterbored-to receive a fianged-sleeve' lz which is fastened in the counterbored aperture 40 by suitable-bolts 43. The bushings for the apertures 39 and the flanged sleeves 42 :are indicated at 44. An end thrust :bearing 45 (see Fig. 3) is provided on each mandrel between a shoulder 38' of its hub 38 and .the adjacent wall of the gear box :29.

The assembly of :wormgears and :worm Wheels is enclosed within the gear x29 by thecover 30 which is removably secured to the carriage by'bolts 3|. The cover is also provided on its underside with integral .transverse vertically depending spaced gparallel webs .333, the bottom edges of which are substantially semicircular and adapted to .embrace the floating collets 353 to provide rigidity to the shaft and .prevent whipping.

Eachshaft32 is adaptedto be driven-by a belt 46 connectingits -pulley34 with a ,pulley 47 of a drive motor 48,.the latterbeing suitably. supported on the underside of each carriage.

The tube supporting mandrels are preferably made in two sections, the freeends 380 of the mandrels being. joined .to the shank portions 386 by-an internal screw threaded connection. At the joint which defines each connection, there is a suitable collar or shoulder "38L the diameter of which is greater than the inside diameter and slightly less than the outside diameter of a tube T (Fig.' 11) tobe sized so asto enable'the shoulder to engage 'an end of a tube to push the tube through a sizing die, the'shoul'der itself moving completely through the die during the sizing operation.

Sizing dies -'A set of sizing dies 4 is provided for the mandrels of each' carriage. In the .present embodiment, each "die-49 actually comprises two die members 490 and 493i assembled in axial'alignm'en't (:see Figs. 5 :and ll) 'but 1 it -will be understood that a single die piece may be'used. By

providing a die comprising two separate die elements, the profile of each die piece may be more accurately maintained.

The dies of each set are each supported in a die holder 50 (see Fig. 20) which spans the two tubular supporting members 22 and is substantially L-shaped in cross section (see Fig. being provided with a longitudinal passage 52 closed at each end by suitable screw plugs for lubrieatin purposes as hereinafter described. The substantially vertical rib portion 53 of each die holder has spaced semicircular notches 54 which constitute supporting pockets for each die 49.

To facilitate removal and replacement of the dies, each is held in its pocket 54 by an inverted U-shaped yoke 55, the slot 55 of which is substantially rectangular in shape so as to fit closely over the substantially rectangular rib portion 53 of the die holder 50. The face of each yoke toward which its respective spindle moves, being the right-hand face of the die as seen in Fig. 5 is provided with an aperture 56, the throat of which converges inwardly toward the center of the die. The opposite face of the yoke is provided with a substantially rectangular vertical slot 51, as shown in Fig. 2c. The top of each yoke 55 offers a substantially flat surface for a tie bar 58 which is adapted to span all of the yokes 55 of the die holder and to be held down securely against the flats of the yokes by adjustable fastening means so as to hold each die securely in its pocket 54 against both longitudinal and vertical displacement. To this end, one end of the tie bar 58 is pivoted as at 59 to the upper element or cap 60 of a clamp (see Fig. which is fastened securely by bolts 60' around one of the fixed tubular members 22. The clamp is adapted to securely support the adjacent end of the die holder 50 as indicated in Fig. 2c. The opposite end of the tie bar is adapted to be swung into position into a relief slot 62 provided in the cap of a second clamp 63 which is fastened securely by bolts 63' to the opposite tubular mem ber 22, the clamp 63 being adapted to securely support the other end of the die holder 50. A knurled headed screw 64 is provided for fastenin the end of the bar 58 in the relief slot 62. Reference to Figs. 2a and 2b shows two identical sets of clamping members 60 and 63', yokes 55, tie bars 58 and transverse die holders 50, each located at substantially equal distances from the longitudinally spaced brackets 19 of the bed.

Die lubrication Referring to Figs. 2c and 5, the bottom of each die holder 50 is supported within the open top of a transversely disposed oil trough 65 which is substantially rectangular in cross section and rigidly secured to the bed. A pipe line 6| having a one-way ball check valve 5H! is connected by means of a nipple to one end of the longitudinal passage 52 of the die holder 50 and is adapted to supply oil under pressure to the passage 52, suitable oil pump means being provided for this purpose as hereinafter described. The oil flows under pressure up into a plurality of transversely spaced nozzles 65, each of which is mounted in an aperture in the ledge 5| of the holder in communication with its longitudinal passage 52 and substantially opposite one of the dies 49. During the tube sizing operation, each nozzle is adapted to discharge oil onto its respective die, the dispersed oil running back into the trough 65. The oil in the trough is carried away by means of a return pipe line 6| connected at one end to the bottom of the trough and at its opposite end by means of a second ball check valve Glfl' to the pipe line GI, thereby forming a closed circuit. The oil held in the tank 65 is maintained at a substantially constant level by a reservoir tank (not shown) which is connected by a pipe 65' to the bottom of the trough 65.

Hoppers Between each set of dies 49 and the ends of the corresponding set of mandrels 380 (see Figs. 2a and 2b) is a hopper indicated generally at 10 which is adapted to deliver tubes successively and in axial alignment with the mandrels and dies. In Fig. 2b, the mandrels 380 have been advanced through their respective hopper and dies and are about to be withdrawn in the direction of the arrow.

Tubes are delivered to each hopper 10 from a stack 12 to which the tubes are fed in any suitable manner and in properly oriented relationship. Each hopper 10, (see Figs. 6 and '7) comprises a substantially rectangular box structure comprising a base block 13, right and left end panels 14 and 15 respectively preferably of a substantially rigid transparent material such as Lucite, and front and rear panels 16 and 11 respectively. The rear panel is shown provided with a hinged door 18 which extends substantially the full width of the hopper. The door may be constructed of a relatively thin metal and is shown formed with an inwardly projecting elbow portion 19 which in conjunction with a curved plate extending across the front of the hopper and on the inside thereof, serves to guide the free fall of the tubes from the stack 12 into the hopper.

The base blocks 13 of each hopper is fastened on the top edges of a pair of wooden stringers 82 which are bolted to a pair of angle iron members 83. The latter span the side channel members l5 and are secured at their opposite ends thereto by welded joints or similar fastening means.

As shown in Figs. 6 and 2a., the base 13 of each hopper comprises a substantially rectangular block provided with a plurality of spaced parallel longitudinally extending grooves 84 having substantially vertical walls and a V-shaped bottom 85. Each of these grooves is arranged in axial alignment with one of the dies and its corresponding spindle 380. Suitable apertures are provided in each Lucite end panel of the hopper opposite one of the grooves, the apertures in the panel at the left side being substantially vertical slots 86 ar-cuate at the bottom as shown at 85. The apertures in the Lucite panel at the right side of the hopper (see Fig. 7) are substantially circular holes 81.

Theslots 86 are shown provided with gates 88 each comprising an elongated substantially rectangular member having an arcuate lower edge. The upper end of each gate is fastened to a bar 89 which is supported substantially horizontally by a pair of hinges 99 across the end panel 14 of the hopper. The left end of the bar extends beyond the front edge of the hopper as shown in Fig. 6 and is provided with a pin 92 substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane of the gate and extending to the right as viewed in Fig. 5. A coil spring 93 is connected at its lower end to the extremity of the pin 92 and at its upper end to a pin 94 projecting from a wooden end member 95 at the upper edge of the hopper whereby the hinged gates are spring biased to resist displace- "ammo? 7 .hient from their vertical plane. lt'wvill be olear, however, from Fig. 5, that the gates :m'ay swing rclockwisewvith theihinged bar 8 9.

iL-he :opposite end of the bar 8 9 extends I beyond the irear edgerof the hopper and is provided with a depending arm -96 adapted normallyto be h-eld by the force of the spring 93 in=engagementwith a push button 91 of a micro-switch 98 which is shown fastened securely "to the back of the hopp.er. The switch 98 is part-of an electrical-circuit controlling the reciprocation of the .spindle carrriagesiand is normally closed. Thus, inztherevent atube in the. hopper is improperly .orientedzso-zas to be .out of axial alignment with a die or its .mandrel, (the tubewill in vallfprobability begpushed against one of the gates:88 so as to displace .the latter outwardly, thus pivoting the bar 894010.01;- wise and withdrawin the switch-larmefi .from engagement with theswitchbutton .9 1. mhe 'cir- -.cuit will \thus be opened thereby stopping the movement-oithecarriage so astopreventlfurther malfunctioning. After the defective. or misaligned tube .has been-removed, the gates will-.swingback to their normal position and the switch .98 will -.be closed.

.Eachhopper is provided-at itsopposite end -(see Fig. .5) correspondingtothe end toward which the mandrels advance with an .L-shaped bracket member 99 whichextends across .the end.of the .hopperrand is provided with a plurality-ofspaced substantially vertical slots I 88 inalignment with the V-shaped grooves 84 in the hopper bottom. In-each slot -I88, a cylindrical roller I82 is rotatably mounted, all of .the rollers being supported .onasingleshaft I83 extending through-altransverse longitudinal aperture of the bracket 1,99. The upper edge of each roller is adapted :tobe tangential to the lowerredge of each mandrel 4388 and .to constitute \antifriction supporting {means therefor.

Eachhopperis provided with means for rdeliv- .ering .the .tubes successively into the grooves :in

the hopper bottom; and with means arranged whereby a tube in a groove in the hopper bottom will be out .of contact with thetube immediately above .it, thus eliminating .any abrading action between the tubes as the lower tubeis pushed-out -of :thehopper byits respective mandrel.

The tube delivering means. of each hoppercom- ,prises .a plurality of oscillating .bafiie members 184 which extend lengthwise .of the hopper see Fig, .5) and which are substantially triangular in .cross section, all edges of .the members :being rounded asshown in Fig. "7. Each bafile member is ipivotally supported at-its oppositelendsrbyisuit- .able .p'ins I85 which extend throughsuitable holes .inlthe Lucite end panels. The pins 485 adjacent the end of ,the hopper (see Fig. 5-) and corresponding to the end which is approached .by the advancing-.spindle388 are longerthanthe pins at the opposite end of the hopper, each being extended beyond the face of thefLucite 'panel to support acrankmember I86 which ,iscsecured :t-o .the'pin. Each crank has an upwardly extending slotted arm I86 adapted to accommodate the lower edgeof a connecting bar Iflflwhichextends transversely across :theend of the .hopper. Suitable fastening means such as pins I88;pivotally connect each crank arm 186 to the'Zbar1I8'I. .The bar :I=,8'I-is spring-biasedby a coil springJil-Q which, .in the hopper shown at-the left-handzend :of --,the :machine .(see Fig. -2a) is fastened at one end .to the .-front edge :of the bed .-and at its ropposite rend ltorthe rfront end of the bar 181. :The baflle cocntrolling bar I81 :in the :hopper at the rightmnd of are machine I (see Eig. 22b) is spring biased in the ropposite direction, ithat "is :by .a coil spring fastened to the back edgeof theimachine.

flhe than; 1811 :are adapted to be given a slight forwardiand'zbackwardzmovementto oscillate the 'b'afile menibers ;I84. 'iFothis end, each bar I8! is 'providedrwithz'a rigid1pinaI 888 which is located at ssubstanti'ally its reenter .and projects outwardly -a;t:substantially right-(angles Lto the vertical plane m'ftheibar-ilflt'l. Eachpin :I89;is adapted to'been- :gage'diby'itheiforkedsend ':II'8.of an actuator II2, :theJior-ked zendrof which is'-.bent downwardly at substantially right angles thereto as shown in 'iFigifi. lllheznear end ofthe actuator ;I I2 is pivot- 'allyrsecured eras rat -1I1I3 to :the corresponding end of :the machine=bed. \Oneredge of each actuator comprises :a'rcam surface indicated generally at aldil 'WhiGhsiS adapted to'beheld 'inv co operative-en- :gagement Withsa suitable :cam roller 5 mounted on the top of ithe corresponding carriage by :the lfnrcezoi ithe-tens'ioneid .coil spring I89. Thus, as reach carriage reciprocates, each actuator is :piv- 'oted ssliglitly about :its pivot I.I;3 providing relaztivelyashortreciprocating movement to its respective barrIit-Iaandzhenceroscillating the several baffl-e :memhers I84 simultaneously in the same dizrection and in :timedgrelationship to the move- :ment of :the carriage.

vThe gdevices vifor temporarily holding successive tubes out of engagement with a tube delivered into 22, groove ,of'the=hopper bottom :comprise a pairaofihookeshapedelements I I6 secured to each abafiiezmember I84, onelhook :being at each end thereof. The {reach -.I I-.B' ;of each hook is set into a suitable indentation -.or recess provided in the :facerof :the Ebafllemember, .the hook IIt being adapted to extend into the adjacent groove 84 .i'see Rig-2a) :The hooks ;I I8 are adapted, however, to extend into "the respective grooves only when the :ba'file rmember I84 has been oscillated :to'th'e .;po.s'ition shown in .Fig. 7, that is to say, whenrtherconnecting bar I81 has been moved to thedeftshylthe-:advancingrmovement of the carriage. .-It wvill bezseen that, when the hooks ex- ,tendinto the grooves 814, each'pair of hooks supportsa'tube Trabove and spaced from .a tube T lying :in "the :bottom of its respective groove. Following sthe removal of the tubes from the grooves -'.by the sizing :operation and the subsequents'tripping action,-'the carriage is withdrawn itothe (end .of its rearward stroke drawing the mandrels "back;throughthe sizing dies and the empty grooves of the hopper bottom, whereupon the connecting bar "'I-IlI is-released by the actuator .I.I2 and .drawn to the right by the spring I89 .therebypscillating.the.bafile members I84 clockwise;and movinga.the,hooks 'I I 6 out of the grooves 184. Slufiicientmovement of the hooks to prevent obstruction of the grooves is permitted by provviding.substantiallyyrectangular relief recesses I III in .theiribs .ofrtherhopper bottom separating the {respective grooves.84. .-As .the hooks M5 recede, the itubessupported .thereon drop down into their .respectivegrooves.andrthen as the carriage again .movesrforward, the-connecting bar I81 is actuated so.that.the ho.oks push .between the tube T which is in .agroove and-the tube I supported thereon and ,lifts .the ,latter .upwardly out of engagement with ,the .tube ..in the ,groove.

Discharge chutes w7b element comprises a substantially rectangular box I I 9, one side H9 of which is lower than the other three sides and located adjacent the exit ends of the sizing dies 49. The box is supported by means of a pair of spaced parallel straps I20 which are fastened to the top edges of the box, the opposite ends I22 of each strap being adapted to rest on and to be bent partially around the adjacent fixed tubular member 22 as shown in Fig. 8. A screw I22 is shown for fastening the straps I20 to the tubular members 22. By this arrangement, the upper edge of the side H9 of the box is located slightly below the longitudinal axes of the dies and mandrels so that tubes being stripped from the mandrels will pass into the box I I9.

The box H9 is shown divided into separate compartments or chutes by partitions I23, each partition and the corresponding sides of the box H9 being provided with suitably inclined baffle plates I24 to control the free fall of the tubes into the bottom of their respective chutes.

From the bottom of the chutes the tubes are adapted to be delivered into suitable baskets I25. It is desirable, however, to close the bottom of each chute whenever the basket is removed so as to prevent the tubes from falling onto the floor. To this end, the bottom of each chute is provided with a trap door I26, each door being secured at one edge to a rod I21, the ends of which are rotatably supported in apertures in opposite walls of the box. Each rod is extended beyond one wall of the box and provided with a slotted crank arm I28 in the slot of which is mounted a connecting bar I29, the latter being secured to each crank arm I28 by pins I30. The connecting bar I29 may be provided with a handle I30 and is spring biased by a coil spring I32 in an obvious manner so as to hold the trap doors I26 closed. One end of a lever arm I33 is connected at the right-hand end of the bar I29 (Fig. 8), the lever I33 being pivotally supported intermediate its ends in a fixed bracket member I34. The lower end of the lever I33 is adapted to extend into the space which is occupied by a portion of the rim of the basket when the latter is in place. Conseouently, when the basket is in position beneath the chutes. the lever arm I33 will be pivoted counterclockwise thus moving the connecting bar I29 to the left against the resisting force of the spring I32 and opening the trap doors I 26. When a full basket is removed, the trap door is immediatel closed. A fixed stop I35 is provided to position the basket beneath the chutes.

Carriage control The mandrel carriages are both securely mounted at opposite ends to the reciprocable rods 3.5 as described above, the rods and carriages being movable as a unit by means of a hydraulically operated piston rod.

Referring to Figs 2 and 2a, the carriage 28 at the left end of the machine is provided with a yoke I36 which is secured thereto in substantially the horizontal plane thereof. The transverse portion of the yoke is provided with an aperture I31, the axis of which is in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the bed and in substantially the horizontal plane of the carriage. This aperture I 31 is adapted to receive the forward end of a piston rod I38 which extends through the aperture of the yoke, its end being reduced and threaded to take a nut I39 for securing the rod to the yoke.

The piston rod I38 extends to the left end of the machine through an axially aligned aperture 10 of a transversely disposed bolster I40 which is firmly secured at its opposite ends to the side channels I5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The bolster I40 constitutes the support for the forward end of a hydraulic cylinder I42. The piston rod is reciprocably mounted in the hydraulic cylinder, the outer face of the head (not shown) of the piston rod being substantially twice the area of its inner face, the area of the inner face being reduced by the diameter of the piston rod. The rear end of the hydraulic cylinder I42 is supported in any suitable manner by a second transverse bolster I43. Between the two bolsters I40 and I43 is a transverse brace I44 which is secured at its opposite ends to the two side channels I5. The brace I44 is adapted to provide a bearing support for a roller I45 which in turn constitutes a support for a rod I46, the rear end of which is substantially free. The forward end of the rod I46 is adapted to be secured to the carriage 28 by a threaded portion I46 secured in a threaded aperture of the carriage 28 (see Fig. 2a) and held by a lock nut I41. The periphery of the rod I46 is provided with longitudinally extending cam surfaces constituting longitudinal flats I48 and I48 (see Fig. 9) disposed at an angle of substantially to each other and adapted to be engaged by suitable cam rollers I49 and I49 respectively, each of which is carried on the lower end of an arm I50 and I50. The arms I50 and I50 are secured at their upper ends to the opposite ends respectively of a switch actuating shaft I 52 which is rotatably mounted in a switch box I53 supported by a bracket I54 above the rod I46. A finger I55 is shown fastened to the arm I50 at the extreme end I56 of which is fastened one end of a coil spring I51, the opposite end of the latter being secured to the fixed bracket I54. The line of action of the force of the spring I51 is normally off center with respect to the pivoted arms I50 and I50. Thus, the roller I49 is held firmly in engagement with the fiat I48 by the spring I51, the line of force of which is above the pivot pin I52 When the rod is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 9. When the rod I46 is moved forwardly so that the roller I49 rides up on the Periphery of the rod, the roller I49 will then be held firmly in engagement with its corresponding fiat I48 by the spring I51, the line of force of which is now below the pivot pin I52.

The switch I53 is hereinafter termed a limit switch and is normally held in its on position by either position of the rollers I49 and I49 respectively. However, during the brief period in which the rollers transfer their respective positions relative to the rod, the switch is momentarily open and, if at this Same instant an abnormal load condition exists in the operation of the machine, the carriages will be automatically stopped as hereinafter described.

The carriage 20 at the left-hand end of the machine also supports a second rod which is adapted to actuate a carriage reversing valve. This rod is shown at I550 (Fig. 2) and is provided with a collar I560 at its extreme left end, the latter being free and unsupported. The forward or right end of the rod I550 passes through a guide aperture of the bolster I40 and is secured in a threaded hole in the carriage being secured therein by a nut I510, as shown in Fig. 2a. Fixed to the forward end of the rod I550 is a substantially vertically disposed bracket I58 in which is adjustably secured the forward end of a rod I59 9i relatively small diameter, the rear end of which i1 extends in a plane substantially parallel to the horizontal plane of the rod I559.

The rod I559 and the rod: I59- are adapted to automatically actuatev a. carriage reversing valve I59 which is suitably designed to reverse the direction of flow of oil to-thehydraulic cylinder I42. Assuming the valve I69 is set so that the mandrel carriages are being moved to the right, then when the collar I569 of the rod- I559 strikes the pin I62 (see Fig. 1) of the rotatable valve head I54, the latter will be actuated to reverse the direction of flow of fluid to the hydraulic cylinder M2. The carriages then move to the left until such time as the left end of the rod I 59 contacts the pin I63: of the" valve head I64. Thereupon, the latter is rotated and the direction of movement of the. carriages isagain reversed. A suitable handle I85 is shown on the valve head I64 for manually controlling the direction of movement of the carriages.

Lubricating pump It is necessary that each set ofv sizing dies be flooded with lubricant during the sizing operation. It is preferable, however; that the flow of lubricant shall begin just before tubes and mandrels have actually entered the dies; and that the lubricant be shut off just before the mandrels and tubes pass outof the dies so as to'insure that no lubricant will be sprayed onto the bare mandrels or drip onto the mand-rels asthey are withdrawn from the dies following the stripping of the sized tubes.

A suitable pump is provided at each end of the machine for pumping lubricant to the die nozzles 69 (see Fig. 5). Referring. to Figs. 1 and 1a., the pipe line GI which is part of a closed. circuit for feeding oil to the nozzlesv B6 is connected by a coupling I10 to the head end I12 of a cylinder I12 which contains the lubricant and which is supported on the underside. ofthe adjacent channel I5 by a pair of hangers I13. A packing gland I 14 is fastened at the rear end of the cylinder I12 and provides guide means for the forward end of a piston rod I 15 which is adapted to be moved into and from the cylinder I12. The piston rod is relatively long being supported at its left or rear end by a bushed bracket I18 secured on the underside of the bolster I49 as shown in Fig. 1.

Fastened to the rod I15 forwardly of its supporting bracket I16 is a collet. I11 which constitutes a stop for an enlarged cup-shaped collar I18 (Fig. l) which is slidable freely on the rod. The interior walls. of the collar I19. are threaded for threadedly securing the rear end ofa tubular member I19" therein. The tubular member I19 extends forwardly on the rod' I15 being provided at it forward end with an annular flang I89. The interior diameter'o'f the tubular member I 19 is sufficiently greater than the" outside diameter of the rod I15 50- as to provide an annular space therebetween in which is placed a coil spring I82, the rear end ofthe latter being adapted to seat against the base of the cup-shaped collar I18. The forward end of the spring I82 abuts the rear end of a short sleeve I 83' carried on the rod I15. The rear end :of the sleeve I83 is shown telescoped within the forward end of the tubular member I19 and is provided at its forward end with an annular flange I84 having a set screw I85 for securing the sleeve tothe piston rod I15. Supported on the undersideof the spindle carriage 28 is a bracket Ia85 provided with an apertured boss I81 which is. slidablefreely on. the tubular member I19.

As the carriage 28 moves forwardly: or to the right (-Fig. 1a), the boss I81 rides freely over. the tubular member I19 until: it engages its annular'fiange: I89 and thereafter the'boss picks up the tubular member I19.v The distance through which the boss moves before contacting the flange I30 corresponds substantiall to the distance the forward end of each spindle must move to enter its respective sizing die. During this interval, there has been no flow of lubricant to the dies.

When, however,. the boss: picks u the flange I80,. the cup-shaped collar I18 moves. forwardly on the'piston rod, its. movementbeing resisted by the force ofthe coil spring I82 which bears-at its forward and against the rear end of the sleeve I83. The spring I82 is relatively light .and hence iscompressed. There is, therefore, a certain amountof lost motion between the movement of the tubular member I19 and the subsequent movementofth piston rod I=15due to the compression. of the spring. However, following the compression of the spring, the flange 189 of the tubular member engages. the flange I84 of the sleeve I83. and since the latter isfastened to the piston rodv I15., the rod is, positively pushed forward into the. cylinder I12.forcing lubricant from the nozzles 56 over the sizing dies. At the forwardv end. of. the stroke. the mandrels. will have pushed the, sized tubes. entirely through the dies. However, just. before this point i reached, the flange I84 of the sleeve I83 contacts an adjustable part I14 of the fixed gland I14: to positively stop further movement of the pistonv rod and hence to out ofi theflow of lubricant to the dies.

At the start of the subsequent rearward movementof the carriage the tubular, member I19, by reason of the force-0f the compressed spring I82, moves backimmediately hugging the rearwardly moving. boss I181. until the cup-shaped collar I18 engage the collet L11. Thereafter. the boss I81 moves rearwardly. relative to the tubular member I19 a distance corresponding to the distance between the .fiange. I89 and the collar I18, after which the boss I81. picks .up the mutually engaging collar I18fiand collet I11 and hence positively withdraws the piston rod from the cylinder. This action sucks the overflow oil from the trough back into the cylinder I12 by way of the pipe GI". The piston rod and cylinder .at the right end of the machine are substantially identical in operation to the apparatus described above, but has been modified in some respects to reduce the overall length of the piston rod. The rear ends of the piston rods must be adequately supported and such support is given for the rod I15 at the left end of the machine by providing it with a relatively lon rear end portion slidable in an aperture of the fixedbracket I16. The rear end of the piston rod I15 at the right end of the machine is not extended but is sl-idably supported in the central aperture of a transverse yoke I15 which is slidably supported at its opposite ends on a pair of fixed guide rods I 88-. The yoke I15 is provided with aninternally threaded hole in which is secured the rear end of a tubular member 119 corresponding to the tubular member I19 at the left end of the machine; and a coil spring I82 to provide a resilient connection between the yoke I15" and a flanged sleeve I83 (not shown) secured to the piston rod I15.

Mandrel drive As described above, all the mandrels of each '13 carriage are adapted to be driven simultaneously by a motor gear drive, the motor unit 48 being supported on the underside of each carriage.

There are at least two well known types of shot shell tubes, the one having a smooth surface and the other being fluted longitudinally. In sizing tubes for fluted shells, the mandrels must not be rotated. Moreover, in sizing smooth surfaced tubes, it has been found preferable to rotate the mandrels only during the sizing operation and to stop the rotation of the mandrels during the tube telescoping and stripping operations.

To these ends, each carriage 28 is provided at one end with a limit switch. The limit switch for the carriage at the left end of the machine is located at the front end of the carriage as indicated atI99 in Fig. 2a, the switch on the carriage at the right end of the machine being on the back end thereof (Fig. 2b).

Each switch is adapted to have an electric conduit attached thereto as at I92 and a laterally extending crank arm I93 for closing and opening the switch terminals. Each crank arm I93 is provided with a roller I94 which is adapted normally to ride on a substantially horizontal track I95 secured on the inside wall of the adjacent channel I5. In the normal position of the roller I94, the switch is off and the mandrels will not rotate. The roller maintains its normal position throughout the entire rearward movement of the carriage during a part of which tubes are being stripped from the mandrels; and through substantially the first half of the forward movement corresponding to the tube telescoping operation. Thereafter the roller I94 rides up a hinged inclined ramp I96 which carries the roller up onto an elevated track I91 in the vertical plane of the track I95, but spaced above it a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the roller I94. The upward displacement of the roller I94 actu-ates its crank arm I93 to close the switch I90, thus causing the mandrels to rotate. The roller continues along the upward track I91 until the carriage has reached the end of its forward stroke. At substantially this point, the upper track I91 ends as indicated at I91 and the roller I94 being no longer supported drops down onto the lower track I95 whereupon the switch arm I93 moves to its normal switch opening position and the mandrels cease to rotate. During 4 the subsequent rearward movement Of the carriage, the roller I94 moves back along the lower track I95 beneath the upper track I91, the hinged inclined ramp I95 being free to swing up as the roller passes beneath it.

Hydraulic system The hydraulic unit for actuating the carriage piston I33 is shown in detail in Figs. 1 and 2 and comprises an oil sump 200 above which is mounted a suitable power unit or motor 202 connected to an oil pump 209 which is adapted to draw oil from the sump 200 and deliver it to either end of the hydraulic cylinder I42. The oil is adapted to be conducted to the right end of the cylinder by a main pipe 294 and to the left end of the cylinder by pipes 295 and 2050. A four-way valve 295 is provided between the pipe lines 205 and 2059 and has a return pipe 201 adapted to deliver oil directly from the pipe 2050 into the sump 200. A relief valve 208 is connected between the main pipe line 204 and the pump 203 having a connection 209 to the return pipe 201.

Assuming the left-hand carriage is at the extreme right-hand end of its stroke (see Fig. 1)",

, end of the machine, the valve actuating rod I59 will engage the pin I63 and trip the reversing valve I60 as described above. The latter is connected by suitable feeder pipes a and b to the four-way valve 206; by the pipe 0 to the relief valve 208 and by the return pipe d to the sump The actuation of the reversing valve I60 automatically actuates the four-way valve to close the pipe 201, and hence to prevent the flow of oil from the left end of the cylinder back into the sump 200. As a consequence, oil pressure builds up at both ends of the hydraulic cylinder, but since the area of the piston head on which the oil pressure from the pipe 2050 act-s is substantiall twice the area of the piston head against which oil from the pipe 204 acts, the force acting on the piston to push it to the right exceeds that force tending to move it in the opposite direction, and hence the piston rod moves to the right and oil in the right-hand end of the cylinder is displaced back through the pipe 204 up into the four-way valve 206 and into the left end of the cylinder. When the carriage reaches the end of its stroke to the right, the aforementioned collar I560 of the rod I550 will contact the pin I92 of the reversing valve I and again trip the valve whereupon oil being delivered to the left end of the cylinder is allowed to escape by way of the pipe 201 into the pump and pressure builds up in the right-hand end of the cylinder pushing the piston rod I38 to the left.

A suitable pressure indicator pipe 6 is shown connected in the pipe section 205 between the relief valve 208 and the four-way valve 206 and. is shown provided with three hydraulic pressure switches A, B and C for the purpose hereinafter described. These pressure switches are shown within the frame of the machine (Fig. 1), but it will be understood that the length of the pipe e may be extended so as to permit mounting the switches A, B and C on a suitable panel or buss board (not shown) together with the switches and line starters of the electrical circuit.

Electric circuit pressure in the line e falls below a minimum pressure such as when the carriages are reciproeating under no load conditions. If for any reason the load on the carriages is or drops below this minimum operating pressure, switch A will automatically open and the machine will be stopped, the circuit to the pump motor 202 being opened. In order to start the machine, the operator must hold the starter button S until a pressure in excess of the minimum operating pressure builds up in the hydraulic system whereupon the switch A closes and the operator may then release the starter button.

The hydraulic switch 13 is normally closed, but

is adapted to openthe circuit in the event the pressure in the-hydraulic system exceeds a maximum operating pressure which in the present embodiment is substantially five hundred pounds; thus, in the event one or more tubes becomes jammed thereby causing the hydraulic pressure to rise, then, at an upper safe limit of five hundred pounds, switch B will automatically open and stop the machine.

Thethird hydraulic switch C is adapted to open whenever the operating load is less than a preferredminimum and of course at no load, but

closes as soon as a pressure of substantially three hundred and fifty pounds is reached which corresponds to the load. effected by simultaneously sizing. fi-ve tubes. Since the minimum load of three hundred and fifty pounds is only reached during the sizingoperation, it is necessary to provide. means for maintaining the circuit closed until aset of mandrels having tubes telescoped thereon enters the sizing dies.

To this end, the switch C is used in conjunction with the above-described limit switch I53 which is normally closed to complete the circuit around the switch C. Consequently, even though the. latter. is open during the stripping operation, the circuit will remain closed and the machine will continue to-operate. However, as soon as the sizing operation begins the limit switch will be operated by the aforesaid cam rollers M9 to momentarily open the .circuit around the switch .If at. this moment, the working load is less than the threehundred and fifty pound minimum, then both the limit switch it and the pressure switch C will be open simultaneously thereby causing the machine to come to a stop. If. the load is normal, the switch C will be closed and the machine will continue to operate.

Between the line starter L and the pump motor 202. is connected a second knife switch N, the leads of which are connected to a pair of line starters I each associated with one of the motors 43015 thev carriages. Leads from each line starter are connected to the above described micro- .s-witc-h L90- for automatically controlling rotation of the mandrels. When ribbed or fluted tubes are to be sized, the knife switch N is opened to disengage. the mandrel motors 58.

Summary of operation The operation of the. machine has been described above in more or less detail, but briefly is as: follows:

The tubes to be sized are fed into the hoppers TD from the respective stacks 12 so that in each hopper one tube lies in each goove in the bottom thereof in axial alignment with the sizing die and its respective mandrel. The operator starts the machine by pressing and momentarily holding down the starter button S.

Asthepressure builds up in the hydraulic cylinder, the piston is pushed either to the right or left depending on the setting of the reversing valve. [:60. Assuming the latter is set so that the carriage at the left end of the machine will move to the right, then as thecarriage begins to move its mandrels telescope into respective tubes in the hopper. The friction fit between a tube and its mandrel will cause the tube to be displaced longitud-inally slightly in the direction of movement of its mandrel until the end of the tube abuts its respectivesizing d-ie. With the ends of tubes abutting their respectivedies, the mandrels then telescope into the tubes until the shoulders 38l of mandrel enga es. the adjacent end of its respective tube; Thereupon the tubes are ad vancedpositively through the sizing. dies. If each mandrel is provided with a. tube, then a normal working load is. effected and the circuit through the hydraulic switch C remains closed and the machine continues to operate despite the m0- mentary opening of the limit switch [53. Moreover, assuming smooth walled tubes at substantially the moment thesizingoperation begins, the micro-switch I92 is closed to initiate the rotation of the mandrels. Simultaneously, lubricant is supplied tothe sizing dies by the nozzle 66. As the mandrels of the carriage at the left end of the machine are forcing their tubes through their respectivesizing dies, the mandrelsof the carriage at the right end of the machineare being, stripped of. their sized tubes.

After the tubes have been pushed through the sizing dies (the flow of lubricant having already stopped), the movement of the carriages is reversed as described above. Moreover, if the mandrels have-beenrotating they now cease to rotate. As the mandrels are withdrawn from the sizing dies, the slightradial expansion of the sized tubes will SllffiCG: to prevent the tubes from being drawn back through the sizing: dies, and hence the tubes will be stripped ofi the mandrels and will fall by gravity down into the discharge chutes of the receptacles H9, and from thence into suitable baskets I25.

It should be pointed out that, both, sets of dies 69* may be of the same dimensions and profile or either set may differ from the other in these respects. Thus, the machine may be readily adapted to size tubes of diiierent sizes simultaneously by providing difierent' sets of mandrels 385? corresponding to the diiferent die sets and feeding the proper size tube into the corresponding hoppers.v Such changes may bereadily made due to the facility with. which the dies may be replaced inthe die holders and. the ease in providing the mandrel shanks: 380! with extensions 386 of diiferentv diameter.

What is claimed is;-

. 1. A machine forsizing tubes comprising abed; a carriage reciprocably mounted on said bed; a mandrel comprising. an extension and a shank portion. rotatably supported on said. carriage; means carried bysaid carriage to-rotate said mandrel; a die secured on said bed in. axial alignment with said mandrel; means on said bed between said die and. said mandrel to support a tube to be sized in axial alignment with. said mandrel and said die; means to. move said carriage along said bed to telescope said mandrel extension into said tube and to push the telescoped mandrel extension and tube through said die; and means to actuate said mandrel rotating means to rotate said telescoped mandrel extension and tube during their passage through said die.

2. A machine for sizing tubes comprising a bed; a carriage reciprocably mounted on said bed; a mandrel comprising an extension and a shank portion rotatably supported on said carriage; means carried by said carriage to rotate said mandrel; a die secured on said bed in axial alignment with said. mandrel; means on said bed between said die and'sai'd mandrel to support a tube to be sized in axial alignment with said mandrel and said die; means to move said carriage along said bed to telescope. said mandrel extension into said tube and to push the telescoped mandrel extension and, tube through said die; means to actuate said mandrel rotating means to rotate said telescoped mandrel. extension and tube durin their passage through said die; and means to automatically stop the rotation of said mandrel after passing through said die.

3. A machine for sizing tubes comprising a bed; a carriage reciprocably mounted on said bed; a mandrel comprising an extension and a shank portion rotatably supported on said carriage; means carried by said carriage to rotate said mandrel; a die secured on said bed in axial alignment with Said mandrel; means on said bed between said die and said mandrel to support a tube to be sized in axial alignment with said mandrel and said die; means to move said carriage along said bed to telescope said mandrel extension into said tube and to push the telescoped mandrel extension and tube through said die; means to actuate said mandrel rotating means to rotate said telescoped mandrel extension and tube during their passage through said die; and means associated with said carriage moving means to reverse the movement of said carriage along said bed to withdraw said mandrel from said die and simultaneously to strip the sized tube from said mandrel extension; and means to automatically stop the rotation of said mandrel during the stripping operation.

4. A machine for sizing tubes comprising a bed; a carriage reciprocably mounted on said bed; a mandrel comprising an extension and a shank portion supported on said carriage; a die secured on said bed in axial alignment with said mandrel; means to supply lubricant to said die; means on said bed between said die and said mandrel to support a tube to be sized in axial alignment with said mandrel and said die; means to move said carriage along said bed to telescope said mandrel extension into said tube and to push the telescoped mandrel extension through said die; and means actuated by the movement-of said carriage along said bed to transmit'lubricant to said lubricant supply means.

5. A machine for sizing tubes comprising a bed; a carriage member reciprocably mounted on said bed; a carriage secured at each end of said member; a mandrel comprising an extension and a shank portion supported in each carriage in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said bed, the mandrel extension of one carriage being opposed to the mandrel extension of the second carriage; means to feed tubes to be sized between said opposed mandrel extensions and in axial alignment therewith; sizing dies supported on said bed in axial alignment with said axially aligned tubes and mandrels; and means to move said carriage member along said bed to telescope the mandrel extension of one carriage into its respective tube and to move the telescoped tube and mandrel extension through their respective sizing die in a tube sizing operation, the mandrel extension of said second carriage being arranged to simultaneously withdraw from its respective sizing die and strip off its sized tube.

6. A machine for sizing tubes comprising a bed; a carriage member reciprocably mounted on said bed; a carriage secured at each end of said member; a mandrel comprising an extension and a shank portion rotatably supported in each carriage in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said bed, the mandrel extension of one carriage being opposed to the mandrel extension of the second carriage; means carried by each carriage to rotate its respective mandrels; means to feed tubes to be sized between said opposed mandrel extensions and in axial alignment therewith; sizing dies supported on said bed in axial align- 18 ment with said axially aligned tubes and mandrel extensions; means to move said carriage member along said bed to telescope the mandrel extension of one carriage into its respective tube and to move the telescoped tube and mandrel extension through their respective sizing dies in a tube sizing operation, the mandrel extension of said second carriage being arranged to simultaneously withdraw from its respective sizing die and strip off its sized tube; and means to actuate each mandrel rotating means to rotate said mandrel extensions during the tube sizing operation only.

7. In a machine for sizing tubes; mandrels for supporting tubes to' be sized; sizing dies in axial alignment with said mandrels; means to deliver tubes successively into axial alignment with'said mandrels and dies; hydraulic means to move said mandrels in a direction to telescope within said axially aligned tubes and to move the telescoped mandrels and tubes through said sizing dies in a tube sizing operation; and a hydrostatic switch associated with said hydraulic means and responsive to an abnormal working load during said sizing operation to automatically stop the mandrel moving means.

8. In a machine for sizing tubes; mandrels for supporting tubes to be sized; sizing dies in axial alignment with said mandrels; means to deliver tubes successively into axial alignment with said mandrels and dies; hydraulic means to move said mandrels in a direction to telescope within said axially aligned tubes and to move the telescoped mandrels and tubes through said sizing dies in a tube sizing operation; and means actuated by said mandrel moving means to supply lubricant to said dies during a predetermined period of said sizing operation.

9. In a machine for sizing tubes; mandrels for supporting tubes to be sized; sizing dies in axial alignment with said mandrels; means to deliver tubes successively into axial alignment with said mandrels and dies; hydraulic means to move said mandrels in a direction to telescope within said axially aligned tubes and to move the telescoped mandrels and tubes through said sizing dies in a tube sizing operation; a hydrostatic switch associated with said hydraulic means and responsive to an abnormal working load during said sizing operation to automatically stop the mandrel moving means; and control means for said hydraulic means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said mandrel moving means to Withdraw said mandrels from said dies and to strip off the sized tubes from said mandrels.

10. In a machine for sizing tubes; mandrels for supporting tubes to be sized; sizing dies in axial alignment with said mandrels; means to deliver tubes successively into axial alignment with said mandrels and dies; hydraulic means to move said mandrels in a direction to telescope Within said axially aligned tubes and to move the telescoped mandrels and tubes through said sizing dies in a tube sizing operation; a hydrostatic switch associated with said hydraulic means and responsive to an abnormal working load during said sizing operation to automatically stop the mandrel moving means; control means for said hydraulic means to automatically reverse the direction of movement of said mandrel moving means to withdraw said mandrels from said dies and to strip off the sized tubes from said mandrels; and a discharge chute constructed and arranged to receive the sized tubes stripped from said mandrels and to deliver said tubes from said 7 discharge chute at predetermined intervals.

gamete 11. In a machine for sizing tubes; a bed a carriage reciprocably mounted on said bed; a mandrel supported on said carriage; means'to deliver a tube to be sized into axial alignment with said mandrel; a sizing die supported on said bed in axial alignment with said axially aligned mandrel and tube; hydraulic means to move said carriage along said bed and telescope said" mandrel into said tube andto move said telescoped tube and mandrel through said die in a tube sizing operation; and a hydrostatic switch associated with said hydraulic means and responsive-to an abnormal working load during said sizing'operation to automatically stop said'carriage.

12. In a machine for sizing tubes; a bed; a carriage reciprocably mounted on said bed; a mandrel supported on said carriage; means to deliver a tube to be sized into axial alignment with said mandrel; a sizing die supported on said bed in axial alignment with said axially aligned mandrel and tube; hydraulic means to move said carriage along said bed and telescope said mandrelinto said tube and to move said telescoped tube and mandrel through said die in a tube sizing operation; and means to supply lubricant to said dies during a predetermined period of'the sizing operation.

13. In a machine for sizing tubes; a bed; a carriage reciprocably mounted on said. bed; a mandrel supported on said carriage; means to deliver tubes to be sized successively into axial alignment with said mandrel, means associated with said tube delivering means and actuated by the movement of saidcarriage to temporarily support the tube next succeeding the tube delivered into axial alignment with the mandrel in vertically spaced relationship to prevent abrading action between the two tubes; a sizing die supported on said bed in axial alignment'with said axially aligned mandrel and tube; andhydraulic means to move said carriage along said bed to telescope said mandrel into said axially aligned tube and to move said telescoped' tube and mandrel through said sizing die in a tube sizing operation.

14. In a machine for sizing tubes; mandrels for supporting tubes to be sized; sizing dies in axial alignment with said mandrels; means to deliver tubes successively into axial alignment with said mandrels and dies; and means associated with said tube delivering means to tem- 20 porarily support the tubes next succeeding those which have been delivered into axial alignment with said mandrels in vertically spaced relationship to prevent abrading" action therebetween;

15. In a machine for sizing tubes; a bed; a tube sizing die'supported on said bed; means'for feeding tubes successively into axial alignment with said dies; a balanced tube sizing and stripping mechanism embodying a'carriage member reciprocably mounted on said bed and having a carriage at each end thereof; a set of mandrels supported in each carriage;andhydraulic means for reciprocating-the carriage with respect to said tube feeding means and said sizing dies whereby as one set of mandrels sizes a plurality of tubes the second set of mandrels strips off a plurality of'sized tubes.

16. In a machine for sizing tubes; a bed; a tube sizing die supported on said bed; means for feeding tubes successively into axial alignment with said dies; a balanced tube sizing and stripping mechanism embodying a carriage member reciprocably mounted on said bed and having a carriage at each end'thereof; a setof mandrels supported in each' carriage; hydraulic means for reciprocating the carriage with respect to said tube feeding meansand said'sizing dies whereby as one set of mandrels sizes'a plurality of tubes the second set of mandrels strips oif a plurality of sized tubes; and hydrostatic switches associated with said hydraulic means and responsive to an abnormal working load-during a tube sizingoperation to automatically stop said machine;

LESTER H. MESSINGER:

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of. record in,v the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 480,017 Hobbs et al Aug. 2; 1892 587,133 Mason July 27) 1897 664,614 Bailey Dec. 25', 1900 887,809 Hurd May 19,, 1908 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,281 Great Britain 1901 333,035 France Sept; 9, 1903 

